EKPAN CONTRACTORS THREATEN TO SEAL UP WARRI REFINERY

2008-08-27

Warri-indigenous contractors at Ekpanin Delta State have threatened to seal up the Warri refinery and petrochemical company (WRPC), which resumed operation, not too long ago, after two years of unproductively following the blowing of its crude oil pipeline by militants.
The Ekpan indigenous contractors are accusing the WRPC of marginalization and injustice, an allegation that the company denied.

“We want to posit here once again that our stand on the six tanks for rehabilitations still remains. We demand for 60 per cent of the tanks for total rehabilitation and the electrification project respectively. If the NNPC/WRPC fails to comply with a fair sharing formula, we will not allow any company to work in the yard. It is promise not a threat. We cannot be inside the river while soap is entering our eyes” the contractors warned in a petition, dated August 21, and jointly signed by its chairman, Hon. Franco Akemu and secretary, Mr. F.O. Enaefewan, addressed to the director of the state security service (SSS) in the state.
The association accused the WRPC management of marginalizing peace-loving and the good people of Ekpan community as Bona fide stakeholders, adding “we deserve a better treatment than this treacherous acts meted against us by the NNPC/WRPC managements.”

Responding to the issue of contract awards to those described as Abuja boys, the WRPC Managing Director, Engr. Andy Yakubu said: “If there is anything I can stand on the platform of this refinery to boast of is award of contracts. When we came on board, a committee was set up headed by one of our managers. The players in this industry are clear and known.